DAC1 MK3 – Weiss Engineering

Pro Audio

HEAR EVERYTHING

UNCOMPROMISING digital-to-analog converter

For serious audio work, your monitoring chain must provide the most accurate representation possible of your audio material. As Weiss Engineering’s most advanced and precise digital-to-analog converter, the DAC1 is the ultimate in transparency and resolution.

With its four digital stereo inputs and several industry-first solutions in its circuit design, this unit is trusted by some of the world’s most respected audio engineers.

Pro Audio

Main Features

Weiss DAC1

UNCOMPROMISING

Weiss Engineering has spearheaded digital audio for over four decades, with a long row of innovations and industry-first products. All that experience has gone into creating the most accurate and transparent digital-to-analog converter imaginable. The DAC1 marks the pinnacle of our converter designs with several unique solutions, and no corners cut.

Should the DAC1’s standard digital input configuration not suit your needs, several options are available upon request.

UNIQUE DIGITAL SOLUTIONS

The DAC1 MK3 employs Weiss Engineering’s unique correlation technique. This involves utilizing two of the latest DAC chips on each audio channel, so there is a total of four DAC chips in the unit. Even if the highest quality chips are in use, this solution improves distortion and noise figures compared to using single DAC chips.

Several signal re-clocking schemes are combined for extremely high jitter attenuation, making the DAC1 virtually immune to jitter over a very wide bandwidth, down to subsonic frequencies.

DISCRETE CLASS A ANALOG

The DAC1 MK3 uses no less than eight of Weiss Engineering’s own OP1-BPs, which is likely the best operational amplifier available.

The discrete Class A outputs have a virtually zero ohms output impedance but are still able to drive large loads without stability problems. Output levels can be set between −infinity and +27 dBu. The outputs are symmetrical but do not employ any sound degrading servo mechanisms. For asymmetrical operation, only one leg of the XLR connector (plus ground) is used.

DIGITAL INPUTS

In its standard configuration, the DAC1 has three stereo AES/EBU inputs on XLR connectors, and one on optical TOSLINK. The inputs are switchable from the front panel, allowing for easy switching between digital sound sources.

Each XLR input is actively routed to a corresponding XLR digital output, allowing for monitoring at multiple stages in a digital studio setup.

APPLICATIONS

The DAC1 is commonly used as the first step in a studio’s monitoring chain — feeding the studio speakers an analog output that accurately represents the audio on the digital medium.

It is also common to use the DAC1 for incorporating analog equipment into an otherwise digital signal chain when mixing or mastering audio.

DAC1 MK2 VS MK3

While the DAC1 MK3 is a superior design from a technical standpoint, some users subjectively prefer the sound of the DAC1 MK2. Therefore, we continue to offer the MK2 version. Any previous DAC1 version can be upgraded to MK3.

The output gain trimming also works differently between the two versions, with the MK3 being somewhat easier to set.

Pro Audio

Technical Data

Weiss DAC1

Digital Inputs

Three AES/EBU stereo digital inputs on XLR connectors.
One TOSLINK (optical) stereo digital input.
The accepted sampling frequencies are 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, and 192 kHz.
AES/EBU signals in single wire or dual wire formats can be used.
Upon request, any version of the DAC1 can be configured with Thunderbolt, USB, Firewire, or ST type glass fiber digital inputs.
The USB input interface also adds DSD to PCM conversion capability.

Digital Outputs

Each AES/EBU input is actively routed to a corresponding XLR digital output, allowing for monitoring at multiple stages in a digital studio setup.

Analog Outputs

Two analog outputs (L/R) on XLR connectors.
Output levels can be set between −infinity and +27 dBu.
The outputs are symmetrical but do not have any sound degrading servo mechanisms built in. For asymmetrical operation, only one leg of the XLR connector (plus ground) is used.

Controls and Meters

The front panel has four switches for selecting which of the four digital inputs is currently active.

The front panel also has LEDs for displaying sampling frequency, input word length, and signal presence.

The DAC1 MK3 has a single output level trim knob on the back that controls both output channels (L/R) simultaneously in 1 dB increments.

The DAC1 MK2 has an output level range switch (hi/lo) and two 25-turn trim potentiometers on the front for fine trimming the L/R output levels.

Both versions can be remote controlled with a wired controller connected to the unit’s 15-pin DSUB connectors. This allows for remote control of the output level and input switching.

In addition, the units can be configured to accept IR remote control for wireless adjustment of the output level.

Measurements

DAC1 MK3

Frequency response: ±0.25 dB 20 Hz-20 kHz (44.1 and 48 kHz sampling frequencies), ±0.75 dB 20 kHz-40 kHz (88.2, 96, 176.4 and 192 kHz sampling frequencies).

THD+N at 1 kHz: -112 dB at -3 dBFS input level, -115 dB at 0 dBFS input level.

SNR at -40 dBFS input: 129 dB unweighted, relative to full scale output. 132 dB A-weighted, relative to full scale output.

Crosstalk: Less than -110 dB, 0 Hz –20 kHz.

CMRR: Higher than 90dB at 1 kHz, higher than 80dB at 20 kHz, higher than 60dB at 20 Hz.

Dimensions

Depth: 30 cm / 11.8 inches
Width: 43.3 cm / 17 inches (19 inches with rack ears)
Height: 4.4 cm / 1.7 inches (1 RU)

Note: For more detailed product specifications, please refer to the user manual.

Manuals & Downloads

Press Reviews

What the media say

6Moons.com

Pro Audio Blog

DAC1

Can a pro audio DAC beat a hi-end consumer DAC? Yes! I refer you to the Weiss DAC1-MK2.

Reha Diri

Visit Website

Studio Sound Magazine

Pro Audio Magazine

DAC1

There’s no question that the performance of both digital and analogue elements in the DAC1’s signal path warrants its description as a reference converter.

Dave Foister

Download Review

More Reviews

Weiss Artists

What the users say

Maarten De Boer

Master Works

For the first time in my digital mastering career I have the distinct feeling I’m finally hearing what’s really on the tapes and CDs delivered to me

Randy Leroy

Master Works

Took delivery of a DAC1 earlier this week. Sounds stunning! … just wanted to drop a line and say thank you.

Bob Boyd

Ambient Digital

I found that the DAC1 had a very clear, even balance that I felt very comfortable with. My clients love it.

Brad Blackwood

Euphonic Masters

I’ve never heard better than this new Weiss DAC1, and I’ve heard all the major players over the years.

Product Downloads

For your DAC1

Bit Transparency Check

1
zip
0.4 MB
Show Details

DAC1 High Resolution Photos

N/A
zip
24.7 MB

DAC1 Manual

1
pdf
0.1 MB

DAC1-MK2 Manual

1
pdf
0.1 MB

DAC1-MK3 Manual

1
pdf
0.5 MB

Engineered USB Audio Driver 2.26 WIN

2.26
Windows
Show Details

Firewire Driver Release notes MacOS

All
MacOS

Firewire Driver Release notes Windows

All
Windows

Weiss Firewire Driver 4.3.1.47542 MAC

4.3.1.47542
zip
1.7 MB
MacOS
10.8.5 – 10.11.6
Show Details

Weiss Firewire Driver 4.3.1.47542 WIN

4.3.1.47542
Windows
Windows 7 – 10
Show Details

Weiss Gambit Series Latency Documentation

N/A
pdf
0 MB